American Samoa Fono

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

American Samoa

This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
American Samoa



Other countries · Atlas
 Politics Portal
view  talk  edit


The American Samoa Legislature Fono building in Utulei
The American Samoa Legislature Fono building in Utulei

The Legislature of American Samoa or Fono is the territorial legislature of American Samoa. Like most state and territorial legislatures of the United States, it is a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives and a Senate. The legislature is located in Utulei along Pago Pago harbor.

It is the only legislature on the state or territorial level in the United States that is both bicameral and nonpartisan. The Nebraska Legislature is similarly nonpartisan yet is a unicameral body.

As of March 2006, the American Samoa Fono remains the only state or territorial legislative body that does not have an official website.

[edit] Composition of the Fono

The lower House of Representatives has 21 members, elected for a two year term. It comprises 20 single-seat constituencies and one constituency decided upon by a public meeting on Swains Island. The Senate has 18 members, elected for a four year term by and from the chiefs of the islands.